Spring structure.



w B. SMITH & 6i A. FRANZ. SPRING STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, I916.

1,287,489. lzltentml D00 10, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WATSON B. SMITH AND GUSTAV A. FRANZ, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

SPRING STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

Application filed September 12, 1916. Serial No. 119,726.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WATSON B. SMITH and GUSTAV A. FRANZ, citizens of the United States, residing at Jackson, Michigan, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to spring structures and particularly to the base frame thereof.

One object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, durable and efficient base frame to which the spring supporting members may be readily secured and to which the lower edges of facings of the upholstered cushion part of the structure may be readily secured in such a way as to prevent undue wear on the lower edge of the facings incident to the use of the spring structure.

Another object resides in the provision of a base frame of peculiar form to which the facing of the upholstering material may be readily connected above the lower edge thereof.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail, perspective View of a portion of the base frame.

Fig. lis a detail sectional view of a slightly modified form of base frame.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference characters A and B indicate upper and lower frames, respectively, between which springs 5 are located on suitable spring supporting wires 6.

The character 7 indicates upholstering material whose facings 8 are adapted to be secured to the frame B in a peculiar manner to provide for an effective connection therewith of the spring supporting members 5 and the facings 8.

The base frame B inthis particular instance is preferably composed of sheet metal including a bod portion 9, a continuous inwardly directe flange portion 10, and an overhanging flange portion 11 disposed preferably parallel with the body portion 9 and in spaced relation thereto to form a continuous external downwardly opening groove at the upper portion of the frame.

The spring supporting members are preferably formed of wire and substantially oval in shape with their ends resting on the flange 10 at opposite sides of the structure, preferably abutting against the inner face of the body portion 9 of the base. When thus positioned, the inner edge of the flange 10 is manipulated at intervals and bent over the ends of the supporting members 5 and into engagement with the inner face of the body portion 9 of the base frame so as to bind and hold the supporting members tightly on the base frame.

The side facings 8 are preferably overlapped at their free edges as shown at 12 to form a pocket to receive a wool or other rope, cord or the like 13, providing a marginal bead like edge for the free edge of the facing adapted to be inserted in the aforesaid downwardly opening groove formed by the overturned flanged portion 11 of the base frame. The flange portion 11 and the body 9 are compressed to bind the facing at its lower edge in said groove and thereby effectively connect the facing to the base frame above the lower edge of the latter and thereby prevent cutting or unnecessary wear on the lower edge of the facing by the support (not shown) on which the structure may rest.

In some instances, as shown in Fig. 4, the

flange 11 may be turned upon itself at its free edge as indicated at 14: so as to present a smooth edge and overcome possible accidental cutting of the facing.

WVhat is claimed is l. A base frame for spring structures composed of sheet metal embodying a base including a vertical portion turned outwardly over on itself at its upper edge, the

turned over portion forming a downwardly directed external flange surrounding the body and inclined slightly toward the body and terminating short thereof to form a downwardly opening groove whose open side is slightly contracted.

2. In a spring structure, a base frame composed of sheet metal including a vertical portion having an outwardly directed flange at its upper edge, the latter being slightly inclined toward said vertical portion and cooperating with the latter to form a marginal downwardly opening groove at the up per portion of the base frame, spring sup-' porting members supported on the base frame, springs supported on said spring supporting members, a covering for the spring structure including a side facing, the facing at the lower edge being folded upon itself to form a pocket, material disposed in the pocket and the pocket disposed in the external downwardly opening groove of the base frame, whereby an upward pull on the facing will cause the folded edge of the sidefacing to be drawn tightly against the said groove adjacent the inwardly directed flanged portion thereof.

3. In a spring structure, a base frame composed of sheet metal including a vertical portion having an outwardly directed flange at its upper edge, the latter being slightly inclined toward said vertical portion and cooperating with the latter to form a marginal downwardly opening groove at the upper portion of the base frame, spring supporting vertical. portion of the base being compressible laterally one toward the other to lock theloweredge ofthe facing in said groove.

In testimony whereof we aflix our slgnatures 1n the presence of two witnesses.

WATSON B. SMITH. GUSTAV A. FRANZ.

Witnesses:

F. L. ST. JOHN, R. L. WILCOX.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Baton", Washington, D. 0. 

